Hays Street Bridge, Historic road bridge in San Antonio, US

The Hays Street Bridge is a road bridge in San Antonio whose two wrought-iron truss spans cross the Union Pacific tracks. The 225-foot span uses the Phoenix-Whipple design, with Phoenix columns bolted together; the 130-foot span is a Pratt truss. The deck runs between North Cherry and Chestnut Streets.

The bridge was built in 1881 by the Phoenix Bridge Company and was originally designed to cross the Nueces River. It was moved to its current location in 1910 to span the railroad tracks.

The structure represents early Texas engineering methods through its Phoenix columns and wrought iron construction, which remain scarce across the state.

You can cross the bridge on foot or by car as it remains an active traffic connection between North Cherry and Chestnut Streets. The best time to explore is outside rush hours so you can view the structure without heavy traffic.

The 2010 rehabilitation replaced the bridge's deck and repaired the Phoenix columns, but the two wrought-iron trusses were dismantled, refurbished off-site and re-erected. Look for the Phoenix Bridge Company name cast into the column capitals.